Shipston U13s travelled to Leamington to play their U13s on a fresh and sunny Sunday morning.

Tough tackling from the kick off by Shipston resulted in them ripping the ball and putting Leamington under early pressure. Great work in getting the ball through the hands gets Shipston close, but a couple of great try-saving tackles by the hosts keeps the scoreboard empty.

Our boys are famous for starting slow but not on this occasion! They were certainly at it from the first play today. More pressure and good handling allows Matt Squance to go over in the corner for the 1st try.

More aggressive play from Shipston drives Leamington back into their 22, but Leamington come back into the game with a great run from their winger only to be stopped dead in his tracks by Tom Hatch playing full back.

A loose pass from Shipston to the Leamington wing gives him the chance to go over the line to even the scores.
Leamington have now woken up and this looked a very even game. A solid scrum gives the Shipston lads another great run with the power of George McGinn forcing his way over to restore the lead to Shipston. The next try is soon to follow with Ilyas going over in the corner.

The next try goes to Leamington with this time the Leamington handling working well to avoid a last gap tackle by Tom Hatch. Shipston come straight back with George Hendy's good vision and passing enabling Arlie to go under the posts.

More marauding play follows with Joe Painter refusing to be stopped as he powers over the line to give a half time score of Leamington 10 , Shipston 25. What a great 1st half of rugby!

The second half got under way with Leamington imposing themselves on Shipston.

A tap and go from George Hendy nearly results in him gunning the length of the pitch but Leamington turn it over and are soon on the attack only for a great try-saving tackle from Arlie to save the day.

It's now Leamington's turn to camp in Shipston's 22. No points conceded in this spell and Shipston drive the game back up the pitch. A quick pick up from the back of a maul and Joe Painter again drives on with Shipston now going through the phases until George Hendy intercepts a loose pass and touches down for the 1st score of the half.

More tough tackling from Shipston results in Leamington attacks being stopped before our 5m line. Shipston go to sleep and let Leamington take a quick line out only for a knock to save the day. Leamington pressure finally results in a third try for them. With the wind picking up and being against Shipston, Leamington return from the kick off to go unopposed for another try.

With score showing Leamington 20, Shipston 30, this could be a nervy last 10 mins.

Shipston seem to have Lost their way and this leads to another try for Leamington after a series of missed tackles . Shipston start to realise they are in real danger of throwing this game away and start to step up again but more missed tackles allow Leamington through to level the score. Soon after, the final whistle goes with the final score 30-30.

The effort put into the 1st half may have cost us. Without many subs we appeared to run out of steam. From today's events the boys will learn game management is crucial but let's take the positives (i.e. Leamington still couldn't defeat Shipston on their own ground) and work on the rest.

Shipston on Stour RFC

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